People often pack cargo in containers that are 
rectangular in shape. Sometimes cargo containers are dropped out of airplanes in order to reach people in hard to get to places. These containers simply fall because they cannot fly. Aerodynamicists find ways to modify shapes so that they have less drag and produce lift. When flying objects have less drag they can travel farther because drag slows down traveling objects. If an object can produce lift then it will fall less quickly or if it has enough lift, it will not fall at all. If the shape of a cargo container is modified so that it has less drag and produces lift, then it can be used to reach people in more difficult to reach places.
The student handout will be given to all students working on the design
challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.
Aerodynamics TEK8 Instructor’s Guide
This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.
The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.
The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.
The presentations can be used in conjunction or in place of the Design Challenge Video.